Local News
Shenango-Middlesex consolidation in voters’ hands now
WEST MIDDLESEX, SHENANGO TOWNSHIP — With the days dwindling until one of the biggest elections Shenango Township and West Middlesex residents have had in years, it’s time to let voters make their choice, officials said Wednesday night.
Council and supervisors have studied the benefits of the two communities joining as the same municipality and it’s “up to citizens now,” consolidation consultant Alan Kugler, of PA Futures, said.
“Only citizens can take that next step,” he told more than a hundred people on hand for the final meeting on Tuesday’s ballot question in West Middlesex High School’s cafeteria.
“Whichever way that question goes, it will be a watershed moment,” Kugler added.
The vote’s so important, even State Rep. Mark Longietti, Hermitage, D-7th District, stopped by to let residents know what’s at stake.
The state Department of Community and Economic Development gives priority in programs they fund to municipalities it sees working together, he said.
The programs help with things like infrastructure and streetscape projects and DCED can help provide low-interest loans where it sees fit, Longietti said.
DCED favors mergers and will do anything it can to support it, he said. The state’s philosophy is to allot all it can financially to these communities, he added.
Shenango Township and West Middlesex both have seen their populations shrink in the past 10 years. With children in both attending the same school district, they already seem like the same community in everything but government, Councilman Bob Lucich said.
If something’s not done soon to reverse trends in demographics that community will “crumble,” he said.
The study done by council and supervisors predicts the new municipality could run off a tax base of about 8 mills — the township’s current rate.
Each mill would bring in about $40,000. Borough residents currently pay over 20 mills in taxes, but each mill only brings in about $8,000.
While it would be nice to stay near the same rate, it’s unreasonable to think that taxes may not go up a little for township residents, Supervisor David Garrett said.
The benefits of consolidation and the advantage it’ll bring to future generations, though, far outweigh that small increase, he said.
Consolidation saves money by eliminating duplicated services, Kugler said.
“The government (then becomes) far less expensive” to run, he said.
When out-of-town businesses see a community can work together, it makes that area more attractive to locate a potential new store or other business, Kugler noted.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
Local political junkies, mark your calendars.
Third District Congressional rivals Kathy Dahlkemper and Mike Kelly will face off at a League of Woman Voters of Mercer County forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Sharon City Building.
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Are you going to Stoneboro Fair?
“I want some fries, straight off the bat,” a teen said as she strolled amid a seemingly endless stream of people running from the parking lot to the midway Saturday at the Stoneboro Fairgrounds.
The aroma of scrumptious fair food wafted through the fairgrounds on a cool afternoon that felt more like autumn than the waning days of summer.
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Court backs warrantless search that turned up gun
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The court ruled Aug. 26 in a Mercer County Juvenile Court case that stemmed from an arrest made by Southwest Mercer County Regional police. -
Hood surfer back home, recovering
Natalie Huff, the 17-year-old girl critically hurt in a hood-surfing accident, made it home Friday for the first time since she was run over by a friend’s car last month.
David Huff, Natalie’s father, said she was in excellent spirits.
“She just wants to come home,” he said. “She wants out of the hospital. She’s doing really well.”
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Kelly: Jobs are the key to restoring economy
When businesses are healthy, they hire people, and everyone wins, according to Congressional candidate Mike Kelly
The Republican challenger announced his “Pathways to Prosperity” job plan Friday in time for Labor Day weekend at JFS Wealth Advisors in Hermitage. He also made stops in Butler, Crawford, and Erie counties.
Kelly, who faces U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District in November, said he’s been up and down the county and hears about two concerns: jobs and the economy.
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Couple restoring a local landmark
The gardens were renowned and the house was a resting stop for future presidents.
Now, Dan Briceland and his wife Kristin are restoring the structure at 379 state Route 7 in Brookfield to its original glory.
Built in 1816 by Navy Capt. James Christy, the dilapidated house went up for sale this spring. The Bricelands, who have always wanted to restore an historic house, put in a bid and won.
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Cleanup planned for 2nd city neighborhood
The Irvine Avenue cleanup in Sharon was so successful that similar efforts are being planned for another part of the city.
The Sharon Beautification Commission is organizing a cleanup for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 for Meek Street and several surroundings streets, Sharon City Manager Tom Lavorini told council Thursday.
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Lock up vehicles, police urge
Residents should be alert for suspicious activity and keep their cars and homes locked in the wake of a recent rash of thefts from cars — some of which were left unlocked, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.
The most recent thefts were reported Wednesday in the Dogwood Lane, Oak Hill Drive and Kiwanis Road area of West Middlesex.
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Blue Streak thrills again
“It was great. What else can I say?” Dave Hahner said Thursday, just moments after taking his second ride on the Blue Streak.
That’s right. For the first time since 2006, Conneaut Lake Park’s historic roller coaster is back up and running. Once again ready, as Jack Moyers, chairman of the board of trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, put it, “to bring thrills and chills to children of all ages.”
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3 Ohio men in county jail accused of Walmart theft ring
Three Ohio men are in Mercer County Jail for allegedly running a theft ring that stole video games and systems from Walmart stores and then sold them for cash.
Thomas “Tommy” Hamilton, 42, of Ashtabula; Alex Plitt, 34, of Jefferson; and Christopher Patton, 25, address unknown, were caught Aug. 25 after hitting up Walmart stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania for at least several months, Hempfield Township patrolman Daniel McCloskey said Wednesday.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
